The Allan Labor Government is bringing care closer to home and making life easier for families.
Labor's $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital will provide families in the western suburbs the care they need, faster.
The Premier today toured the emergency department (ED) before its doors open to patients at 8:00am tomorrow.
The old Footscray hospital is currently home to one of Victoria's busiest EDs.
The new, bigger and better ED will be able to support an additional 20,000 patients every year.
It features more resuscitation bays, fast-track bays, and acute and short stay beds.
The ED's high-tech satellite radiology hub means patients can expect to get care faster.
It includes a CT, ultrasound, and X-ray suite - just some of the 5,000 pieces of equipment in the new ED alone.
The ED also has a new mental health and alcohol and other drugs hub to ease pressure on resources and improve safety.
It means patients will be fast-tracked to an area with specialist, dedicated care so they get the right support sooner.
These features will help reduce ED wait times at the hospital and help paramedics get back on the road.
Tomorrow's opening has been planned and rehearsed meticulously by Western Health.
More than 4,500 staff undertook training in preparation to use the new hospital's advanced features and technologies - they also completed a successful mock move last year.
The first patient will leave the old hospital at 7:30am and the move is expected to be complete by 6:00pm.
Throughout the day, up to 180 patients will be safely transferred by thousands of dedicated staff.
They will work together to ensure patients receive uninterrupted care throughout the transition.
Only Labor invests in health - we have built 11 new hospitals across Victoria.
Under Jess Wilson's Liberals, Victorians could see seven hospitals close to fill their $11.1 billion budget black hole.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"We're making life easier for families in Melbourne's west with the new Footscray Hospital - just like we promised."
"We have built 11 new hospitals because Labor always invests in a strong public health system."
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"The new Footscray Hospital ED will deliver faster care for locals and help get ambos back on the road sooner."
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"The ED's mental health and AOD hub will mean the right care for patients who need it most."
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
"This is a huge day for our community."
As stated by Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly
"The countdown is almost over - Labor's new Footscray Hospital is about to open its doors."
